Tourism culture and History tour
Botswana overview
Botswana is the protagonist of one of the richest histories of Africa. This country has long been a neglected British protectorate, became independent in 1966, and immediately found three of the richest diamond mines of the planet. At present it enjoys a relatively enlightened government, and health standards, educational and economic on the continent can be compared with those of South Africa.
Beyond the narrow eastern corridor, which concentrates most of the people, Botswana is a land wild and barely communicated by road, consisting of savannas, deserts, wetlands and salt marshes. To ensure the preservation of the natural heritage of the nation, the government has adopted a policy to encourage only the elite of tourism and low impact. This is a destination for intrepid travelers and affluent.
best time traveling Botswana
The winter (May to August) is a good time to visit Botswana, as the days are usually mild and wild animals are never away from water sources. In any case, should be considered that also coincides with school holidays in Europe, Northern America and South Africa, so it can accommodate many visitors. In general, June, July and early September are the least busy months. This season is not conducive to touring the secondary roads, enjoy the contemplation of the wildlife or explore the Okavango, as the persistent rain could disable the sandy roads and animals disperse when water is abundant.
Holidays & Festival in Botswana
The holidays are summarized on the following dates: 1 and 2 January, Easter, Ascension Day (in April or May), the President's Day (over two days in July) and Independence Day (30 and September 31 ). To these must be added the three-day holiday for Christmas and covering 25, 26 (the date on which gifts to employees at Christmas) and December 27.
Botswana attraction & places
Gaborone
It is almost inevitable to go through the capital to go to the sites of greatest interest in the country. In this city, the distances are long, the traffic, intense, there are hardly any sidewalks, and people are in suburbs and agglomerate floors of buildings. Nor has a business district, the most relevant and focuses on the rides outside. The traveler who likes to enjoy Gaborone Los Angeles, although it lacks the charm of the American metropolis.
Among its main attractions include the National Museum and Art Gallery, which offers a collection of historical artifacts and stuffed animals. The exhibits on the culture san presented a comprehensive view of desert dwellers, while other facilities offer panoramic views of various ethnic cultural communities of Botswana. Small National Gallery combines his background in traditional and contemporary works from Africa and Europe, including some pieces san.
The Book of Animal Gaborone can be seen as a safari tour. This park, 1 km from the capital, has some antelopes next to a white rhino cages. Travelers who prefer to explore the territories with more freedom, you can hire a horse safari in the forest area that lies to the northwest of the city. Gaborone has few options for accommodation and budget travelers. The capital is located near the southeastern border of Botswana with South Africa.
Okavango Delta
The Okavango, called the river that never finds the sea, disappear into a maze of lagoons, canals and islands 15,000 km ² in northwestern Botswana. Delta is the larger interior of the planet, and he lives in an intense wildlife. The presence of many birds, elephants, zebras, buffalo, Nus, giraffes, hippos and Kudus, a kind of antelope. At the heart of the Delta is the Moremi game reserve of which extends over 3,000 km ², cordoned off to protect their residents. Outside this protected space sparse fauna, but also tourists, and maintains the beauty of the landscape.
After about 60 km southwest of Maun Moremi is placed, the administrative center of the delta and its main runway. The eastern part is the most economical. Most guides and skippers are independent and have no license.
If you want to stay close to the wildlife, there are several campsites in Moremi. Camping elsewhere may pose a great danger. Similarly, in other areas of the delta and is located in Maun plenty of campsites and other accommodations, since they have enabled a transport service to Okavango. You can also move by air or bus from Gaborone, some 600 km southwest of Maun, and join a safari. The best way to discover the delta is mokoro (canoe), led by experienced guides with the aid of poles. The most pleasant time to visit the area extends from July to September when water levels are high and weather drier.
Chobe National Park
11,000 km ² surface Chobe harbor the greatest variety of wildlife in Botswana. Kasane, on the northern tip of the park, is your gateway and administrative center. The population does not in itself offers many attractions, but it represents a good base camp for quick visits, besides being the place of arrival if you fly to Chobe.
For tourists with limited time, there is a boat or car by the river, which gathers the majority of animals in the park. The main attraction is the 73,000 elephants grouped in herds of more than five hundred copies and contemplate the consequences of its passage through the area: it seems as if they had bombed. It also means a great opportunity to see lions, cheetahs, hippos, buffaloes, giraffes, antelopes, jackals, wild boar warted, hyenas, crocodiles, otters, zebras and numerous species of birds.
Depressed Mababe-a remnant of a vast lake that once covered northern Botswana-hosts another of the great attractions of the park, the mud of Savuti. Its plain and rugged landscape hosts an extensive wildlife, particularly elephants. Lions, hyenas and Licaón lurking around huge herds of Impala, Nus, buffalos and zebras, as well as an unimaginable amount of antelope. Ngwezumba do not have hordes of animals that inhabit the margins of Savuti, but the clay basins and mopane forests of the area hosting buffalo, elephants and several species of antelope, including the rare oribi.
Kasane, the northernmost point of the country, is located about 800 km north of the capital. You can fly there from Maun, Gaborone and the Victoria Falls, and buses depart Nata, some 250 km south. Once there, travelers will need to make an all-terrain vehicle tours through the area. There are campsites and other accommodations in many areas of the park.
Serowe
Located about 250 km from Gaborone, in the eastern part of Botswana, Serowe chaotic, with nearly ninety thousand inhabitants, is the second most populated city in the country. Capital ngwato people since King Khama was established there in 1902, houses the headquarters of the Botswana Brigades, a movement that since 1965 has made education a career, most remote areas of the nation.
The Khama III Memorial Museum tells the story of the house, village leaders ngwato. Leapeetswe Khama donated his house, the house red as the seat of the museum. The samples are the personal effects of King and his descendants, as well as manufactured objects illustrating the history of Serowe. It also has an exhibition of natural history, which includes an extensive collection of African insects and a variety of snakes in the region.
In the real cemetery, located on a hill in the town center, you can see the tomb of Khama III and his family next to the ruins of a settlement of the eleventh century. About 20 km to the northwest is the Khama rhino sanctuary, populated by 7 of the 16 rhinos in Botswana.
Tsodilo Hills
Like Uluru, in Australia, these solitary rocks rise abruptly in the middle of an area of undulating wilderness. Are loaded with mythology, legend and spiritual significance for both Makoko to the san dzucwa, which classifies as a place of creation. South African writer Laurens van der Post Tsodilo immortalized as the "slippery hills" when he visited their house is jammed, their recorders failed and he himself was attacked by swarms of bees, apparently because he had offended the spirits of Tsodilo. Thirty-five thousand years, the ancestors of the San lived in Tsodilo, which houses paintings from 3500 years ago. These works were minimalist animals, people and geomorphic designs. Most ocher or white in color, and is probably due to the San peoples, and the later, to the Bantu. Among the most important paintings include a zebra, a whale, a penguin, a rhinoceros and a family of dancers sexually excited. The San peoples mbukushu or have no shops or other services, but it is possible to camp at the base of the hills, where you can dispose of water from a well. It is building a visitor center and several campgrounds. These mountains are located in the north-west, about 800 km from Gaborone, and can be reached by plane or by road in very poor condition but unforgettable.
And Makgadikgadi Pan National Park Nxai
These two areas, located about 100 km east of Maun, were established at the same time and at a practical level, they are considered as a single protected area. Animal Makgadikgadi Reserve in the south, lies between basins, and a beautiful savanna grassland which occupies 4000 km ². The wildlife is overwhelming, although not as dense as at Chobe. Living in the reserve antelopes, lions, hyenas, cheetahs, hippos and a wide variety of birds, but not elephants or buffaloes. The enclave has a campsite with toilets, cold showers and drinking water. To get a road vehicle is required.
The northern part of the park, Nxai Pan, took over 4000 km ². The southern fringe of this complex is composed of small saline. It is one of the few important areas of Botswana during the rainy season, when huge flocks swooped on the grassy pastures of Nxai. Figures can be achieved amazing: thousands of Nus, zebras and Gemsbok (a kind of antelope also known as oryx), along with large groups of antelope and giraffes. Lions, hyenas and Licaón come to hunt, but also one of the few sites where you can see the otoción, a large fox ears. In southern Nxai Pan, Baines of the baobabs have a rich concentration of these trees in 1862 immortalized by the painter Thomas Baines, a member of the expedition of Livingstone. To get to the campsites of Nxai Pan, lack of infrastructure, an all-terrain vehicle. The national park is about 500 km north of Gaborone.
Cuevas Gcwihaba
These caves, also known as cave Drotsky, have an extensive system of stalagmites and stalactites that reach heights and lengths of up to 10 m. Have been formed thanks to the constant flow of water and the dissolution of the dolomitic rocks, mineral deposits and building decoration of the cave from the roof and floor. The people taught kung first Europeans to these caves, Martinus Drotsky in the mid-1930s. The legend says that this complex is a hidden treasure from the late nineteenth century.
There are two entrances to the caves, but they have no guidelines, lighting and signaling pathways. As the natural light does not penetrate into them, cavers must be provided with adequate lighting systems. Along the way various sections appear particularly dangerous, as any abrupt precipice. However, most of the route is a fairly easy walk through large rooms and passages with seductive side alley. The cave houses many species of bats, including a nose in the form of sheet (hipposideros commersoni). The surroundings provide an ideal setting for some camping, but has no infrastructure. Has not enabled any public transport to Gcwihaba and requires a road vehicle fuel tanks with long range and water to make the journey safely. The caves are located about 650 km northwest of Gaborone, near the northern border with Namibia.
Botswana Activities
Most visitors to South Africa planned at least one safari (journey, in Swahili). It is the ideal way to contact the spectacular wildlife of the region. In general, the tourists made the safari vehicle at an all-powerful, but it is also possible on horseback. Many journeys include the Okavango Delta excursions to islands covered with palm trees, while the Tsodilo Hills are attractive for hiking through the jungle. In the Okavango is possible to fish.
Botswana History
It is believed that the San people (Bushmen) lived in Botswana for thirty thousand years. Followed the Khoi-Khoi (Hottentot) of cattle culture, and later the Bantu, who migrated from regions in northwest and eastern Africa between I and II century AD and settled along the Chobe River. Until the eighteenth century the various Bantu groups, such as tsuana, grouped in small communities coexisted peacefully in the Kalahari. Disputes advocating separation by mutual agreement.
By 1800, the pasture land along the Kalahari were occupied by pastoralists, and peaceful separation was no longer a feasible solution to the dissension. Moreover, the Europeans had arrived in Cape Town and is spreading north. After the union of the Zulu tribes in South Africa in 1818, settlers attacked the villages scattered tsuana, enhancing their vulnerability. In response, regrouped and their society was structured in a complex: a hereditary monarchy tsuana regulate each nation and the people living in towns and villages centralized satellite.
The order and structure of tsuana society impressed the Christian missionaries, which were introduced in the early nineteenth century. Failed to evangelize the vast majority, but managed to advise them, sometimes wrongly, in their dealings with Europeans. Meanwhile, the Boers began the great migration (Great Trek, 1834-1844) into the Vaal, crossing the territory and imposing tsuana Zulu and Western law. Many Indians working in the Boer farms, but the rebellion and violence led to the failure of this partnership work. In 1877, the animosity had grown so that the British intervened to annex the Transvaal, triggering the first war of the Boers. After the 1881 convention Pretoria Boer pressure decreased, but returned the following year to land tsuana, who returned to claim the protection of Britain.
The intervention of United Kingdom led to indigenous people to accept its conditions. The lands south of the Molopo River became known as the Crown Colony of British Bechuanaland, while the area north became the British Protectorate of Bechuanaland (now Botswana). Not counting the years when Britain ceded control to the South Africa Company of Cecil Rhodes, dominated the country until 1966. Nationalism had developed extensively during the fifties and sixties. After the Sharpeville massacre in 1960, formed the Bechuanaland People's Party, whose aim was focused on independence. In 1965 general elections were held, and Seretse Khama was elected president. On September 30, 1966, the Republic of Botswana gained independence.
With the discovery of diamond mines near Orapa in 1967, Botswana was economically transformed. Although most of the population belonged to the poorest, this mineral wealth provided the country huge foreign exchange reserves, and the polish has become one of the major African currencies. But in 1999, the international diamond market slumped, and the first budget deficit in 16 years in Botswana. In any case in relation to the rest of the African continent continues to enjoy great stability and wealth. The government is considered pro-Western and pragmatic, although there is some concern about the increasing military spending on infrastructure. Currently, the country's biggest problems are unemployment, the influx of rural population to the cities and the high birth rate.
At present, the major problems in Botswana are unemployment, AIDS, population exodus to the cities and an unstoppable birth rate, which has begun to slow in recent years by the spread of HIV and AIDS in age for having children. The country suffered a devastating flood in 2000 that left 70,000 homeless, while droughts in recent years have caused great suffering, especially in the west. In 2004, the rate of HIV infection and AIDS in Botswana was 37.5%, and the country attended a dreadful migratory influx of refugees from Zimbabwe. Despite these challenges, Botswana remains a peaceful nation.
Botswana Culture & people
Botswana History
It is believed that the San people (Bushmen) lived in Botswana for thirty thousand years. Followed the Khoi-Khoi (Hottentot) of cattle culture, and later the Bantu, who migrated from regions in northwest and eastern Africa between I and II century AD and settled along the Chobe River. Until the eighteenth century the various Bantu groups, such as tsuana, grouped in small communities coexisted peacefully in the Kalahari. Disputes advocating separation by mutual agreement.
By 1800, the pasture land along the Kalahari were occupied by pastoralists, and peaceful separation was no longer a feasible solution to the dissension. Moreover, the Europeans had arrived in Cape Town and is spreading north. After the union of the Zulu tribes in South Africa in 1818, settlers attacked the villages scattered tsuana, enhancing their vulnerability. In response, regrouped and their society was structured in a complex: a hereditary monarchy tsuana regulate each nation and the people living in towns and villages centralized satellite.
The order and structure of tsuana society impressed the Christian missionaries, which were introduced in the early nineteenth century. Failed to evangelize the vast majority, but managed to advise them, sometimes wrongly, in their dealings with Europeans. Meanwhile, the Boers began the great migration (Great Trek, 1834-1844) into the Vaal, crossing the territory and imposing tsuana Zulu and Western law. Many Indians working in the Boer farms, but the rebellion and violence led to the failure of this partnership work. In 1877, the animosity had grown so that the British intervened to annex the Transvaal, triggering the first war of the Boers. After the 1881 convention Pretoria Boer pressure decreased, but returned the following year to land tsuana, who returned to claim the protection of Britain.
The intervention of United Kingdom led to indigenous people to accept its conditions. The lands south of the Molopo River became known as the Crown Colony of British Bechuanaland, while the area north became the British Protectorate of Bechuanaland (now Botswana). Not counting the years when Britain ceded control to the South Africa Company of Cecil Rhodes, dominated the country until 1966. Nationalism had developed extensively during the fifties and sixties. After the Sharpeville massacre in 1960, formed the Bechuanaland People's Party, whose aim was focused on independence. In 1965 general elections were held, and Seretse Khama was elected president. On September 30, 1966, the Republic of Botswana gained independence.
With the discovery of diamond mines near Orapa in 1967, Botswana was economically transformed. Although most of the population belonged to the poorest, this mineral wealth provided the country huge foreign exchange reserves, and the polish has become one of the major African currencies. But in 1999, the international diamond market slumped, and the first budget deficit in 16 years in Botswana. In any case in relation to the rest of the African continent continues to enjoy great stability and wealth. The government is considered pro-Western and pragmatic, although there is some concern about the increasing military spending on infrastructure. Currently, the country's biggest problems are unemployment, the influx of rural population to the cities and the high birth rate.
At present, the major problems in Botswana are unemployment, AIDS, population exodus to the cities and an unstoppable birth rate, which has begun to slow in recent years by the spread of HIV and AIDS in age for having children. The country suffered a devastating flood in 2000 that left 70,000 homeless, while droughts in recent years have caused great suffering, especially in the west. In 2004, the rate of HIV infection and AIDS in Botswana was 37.5%, and the country attended a dreadful migratory influx of refugees from Zimbabwe. Despite these challenges, Botswana remains a peaceful nation.
Botswana Culture & people
In the primitive religions of Botswana tribal chiefs of the clans headed family issues from the underworld. Among the rites of initiation ceremonies highlighted the male and female and rituals to bring rain. Practiced polygamy, and property inherited from a man the children of his first wife. Folklore San (Bushman) is very rich, and provides explanations of supernatural events earthly N_odima orchestrated by the good, and Gcawama, the mischievous trickster. The missionaries went almost all the traditional customs and Christianity is now the dominant doctrine in the country. The English is the official language, but speech is the most used tsuana, a Bantu language means that approximately 90% of the population.
The artisans of the Botswana primitive aesthetics applied to individual instruments and utensils of daily use. Pottery, fabrics and tools were his most important contributions. The baskets have exquisite designs such evocative names as Tears of the Giraffe, a trace of rust in front of the bull or the zebra. Since there was no writing in indigenous languages, the country does not have a significant literary tradition. The ancient myths and religious poetry of Aboriginal was passed on orally, and was not transcribed until recently. The best-known contemporary literary figure was Bessie Head (1937-1986), originally from South Africa, who took refuge in Serowe, and her novels focus on the beauty of rural life.
In traditional society, men tend the herds and subsisted primarily for meat and milk, while women gathered and consumed wild fruits and vegetables. Currently, millet and sorghum porridge form the basis of gastronomy Botswana, but are being replaced by imported maize meal. The people of remote areas supplement their diet with morama, a tuber, and an edible mushroom known as the Kalahari truffle. You can also find dishes cooked with the mopane worm, a larva similar to a caterpillar that can be cooked in hot ash, boiled in salt water or dried and fried. Among the highlights traditional drinks palm wine, strong and illegal, but tolerated, and kgadi, a distillation of brown sugar or mushrooms. Among the laws include bojalwa, a sorghum beer economic
Botswana Map
The artisans of the Botswana primitive aesthetics applied to individual instruments and utensils of daily use. Pottery, fabrics and tools were his most important contributions. The baskets have exquisite designs such evocative names as Tears of the Giraffe, a trace of rust in front of the bull or the zebra. Since there was no writing in indigenous languages, the country does not have a significant literary tradition. The ancient myths and religious poetry of Aboriginal was passed on orally, and was not transcribed until recently. The best-known contemporary literary figure was Bessie Head (1937-1986), originally from South Africa, who took refuge in Serowe, and her novels focus on the beauty of rural life.
In traditional society, men tend the herds and subsisted primarily for meat and milk, while women gathered and consumed wild fruits and vegetables. Currently, millet and sorghum porridge form the basis of gastronomy Botswana, but are being replaced by imported maize meal. The people of remote areas supplement their diet with morama, a tuber, and an edible mushroom known as the Kalahari truffle. You can also find dishes cooked with the mopane worm, a larva similar to a caterpillar that can be cooked in hot ash, boiled in salt water or dried and fried. Among the highlights traditional drinks palm wine, strong and illegal, but tolerated, and kgadi, a distillation of brown sugar or mushrooms. Among the laws include bojalwa, a sorghum beer economic
Botswana Map
